Changing Legal Identity Documents in California

Your Name:

WHAT MAKES YOUR NAME “LEGAL”?

Your legal name is the identity by which you are officially known. Your birth name is a legal name because it is on your birth certificate and is used on all of your legal documents. There are technically two ways to change your name: a common-law name change and a court-ordered name change. While common-law name changes are recognized by California law, few government agencies recognize them. Also, a court-ordered name change creates a paper trail linking your old name and your new name, which can be helpful in many circumstances. We recommend you consider getting a court order if you are planning on changing your name.

Court-Ordered Name Change

A court-ordered name change is when a judge approves your request to change your name. You begin the process by filing out a series of forms called a “Petition to Change Name” and submitting them at the Superior Court of the county where you live (you can find the forms on our website). You must also pay a fee or submit an application for a “fee waiver” if you cannot afford the fee. You will then be given a court date, generally within six to eight weeks (depending on the county).

As of July 1, 2014, individuals changing their name to conform with their gender identity are no longer be required to: (1) publish their name change; and (2) attend a court hearing for their name change, so long as it is uncontested and you are not concurrently seeking a court-ordered gender change. When filling out form NC-100, be sure to check the box in Question #6 and on form NC-120, check the box next to Question #3 b. “Other (Specify)” and write the following text below the line “This petition seeks to conform petitioner’s name with petitioner’s gender identity.”

On your court date, you will appear before a judge. The judge may ask you a question or two about the name change. If all of your paperwork is in order and no one objects to your name change request, the judge will approve your request to change your name. This name is now your legal name.

Common Law Name Change

Some people who change their name never get formal recognition of the change. They simply adopt a new name and use it over time. If this name is used consistently for business and personal affairs, it can become your legal name through what is called a “common-law” name change. This is a free method of changing your name. However, it does not create the kind of solid paper trail that a court-ordered name change will. People who are on probation or parole, or are required to register as sex offenders, must get a court order to legally change their name.

Your Gender:

WHAT MAKES YOUR GENDER “LEGAL”?

You certainly don’t need a piece of paper to tell you what your own gender is, but there is a way to get legal recognition of your gender. California law allows you to get a court order acknowledging your gender; while it is not required, it can also help you to change the gender on your California birth certificate.

Unfortunately, a California court order does not automatically change your gender on all of your legal documents. Each state and federal agency has an independent standard and process for gender change. This means that even if you get a court-ordered gender change, you must still follow the process and provide the documentation required by each agency.

Court Ordered Gender Change

The process for getting a court order recognizing your gender change is similar to the one used to get a court-ordered name change. The primary difference is that you’ll need a letter signed by a physician saying that you have undergone “clinically appropriate treatment” for gender transition. Also, you can file your gender change petition in any California county, not just the one where you live.

What “clinically appropriate treatment” means for you is between you and your doctor. If you have questions about your specific situation, give us a call or send us an email.

Combined Name and Gender Change

You can also petition the court for a name change and gender change at the same time. If you use that process, you will need to file in the county where you live and appear for the court hearing, even if the petition is uncontested.

Special note for people less than 18 years of age:If you are under 18, and are not an emancipated minor, a parent or legal guardian will need to apply for your name or gender change for you. When you fill out the forms be sure to also include the additional paperwork necessary for applicants under 18.

UPDATING IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

In order to avoid confusion between the different agencies that keep information on your name and gender, we recommend that people: (1) get a court order, (2) change their Social Security records, and then (3) change their driver’s license or state ID.

Social Security

To change your name with Social Security (SSA) you must show a court-ordered name change. Once you have your court order, take it to a SSA office, fill out an SS-5 form (available at www.ssa.gov), and request that they change your name.

Your Social Security card does not list your gender, but it is a good idea to get your gender marker changed in their system. Contact the Transgender Law Center if you have questions about your specific situation.

Driver’s License and California ID

To change your name on your California driver’s license or DMV identity card, you will need to submit a certified copy of a court-ordered name change and fill out a form DL-44. You can pick up a copy of the form at any DMV location (it is not available online).

If you are changing your gender you can use the DMV form DL-329 to request the change. Forms are available at any DMV location and on our website. You do not need a court order to change your gender on your California driver’s license or DMV identity card.

The DL-329 form must be completed by a licensed California physician or psychologist. You do not need to have undergone any specific medical procedure to get your license or ID with the correct gender marker. Your physician simply has to confirm that you are expressing your gender identity full-time and you can receive a license that is valid for 10 years. If your psychologist completes the form, you will receive a license that is only good for five years, after which you will have to renew it.

Once the form is filled out and signed, take it to the DMV and pay the fee. You will receive a temporary license with your new information. Your official license or ID will be mailed to you.

Special note: if you are under 18, you will need a signature from a parent or guardian to request a gender change on your license or ID. Use form DL-44 for this signature.

California Birth Certificate

Once you have received a court order for changing your name and/or gender, you must take the next step to request that the California Department of Vital Records (VR) issue your new birth certificate. To change your name and gender, or gender only, you will need to fill out form VS-24 (for name change only, the form is VS-23). The form can be obtained by calling VR at 916. 557.6073 or 916.445.2684.

Passport

To change the gender marker on your passport, you need to provide a letter from your doctor that says you have had “clinically appropriate treatment” for gender transition. The letter must be on your doctor’s office letterhead.

If you are requesting gender change, you must use form DS-11 and apply in person, even if you would otherwise be eligible to renew by mail. This is a new requirement. By contrast, if you are only applying for a change of name, or do not need to change any information, you may be eligible to renew by mail using form DS-82. Consult the State Department’s website for details.

To find out where to take your documents, see the State Department’s website (http://iafdb.travel.state.gov) or call the National Passport Information Center at 1.877.4USA.PPT (1.877.487.2778), TDD: 1.888.874.7793.

More INFORMATION

This resource contains only a little bit of information on a very complex subject. Check out ID Please, a much more detailed community guide to these and other ID document issues. It is free to download from our website.

The information in this resource is not meant to substitute for advice from an attorney or appropriate agency. Because of the changing nature of the law, we cannot be responsible for any use to which it is put.